The Commons 1854: Event Venue

emailed them to plan a already planned wedding but covid had other plans for us. However not all things are bad if we didn't change our date we would have never found this place. From the moment we meet with Gianna and Zoe, who were our coordinators, they were amazing! Letting us plan everything the way we wanted it, yet also guiding us in the right direction. They were incredibly fast through email to respond to us with all our questions. Also their suggestions on appetizers we amazing!! When it comes to the actual day we can not say enough about the staff. Zoe was there at every moment and it felt like she never left for a second. She’s there to ask if we needed anything and even brought us drinks when the wait staff had their hands full. Gianna was also amazing and even meet me there early to put the cake into the fridge what a life saver. She even removed some bikers who were gonna ruin the perfect shot. I mean what else can we say, the food was amazing, the service was amazing, the atmosphere was beautiful. Everything was honestly perfect!! Not a day goes by that days doesn’t play in my head and how fun and amazing it was. We pulled off a incredible COVID wedding mask and all. And we really don’t think we could have done it without the help and care from The Commons 1854. You guys are truly amazing and make dreams come true!! From the bottom of our hearts we thank you!!! 10 starts out of 10!!! 😍😍

after the wedding! Due to COVID we had to completely change our wedding plans, and The Commons was so prepared to take on the challenge. I was nervous, but trusted them 1000% and everything went so perfectly. Don’t hesitate to choose them for your special day - you will not regret it!

th Gianna. She is such a pleasure to work with that it made you feel like she was part of our family working with us. She truly felt the message we wanted to convey and orchestrated the event perfectly. We can’t thank the staff of the Commons for delivering such an exceptional experience for our daughter and all of her family and friends. These special memories will live forever! Thank you! Nancy and Charlie Anastos

y flexible with changes we needed to make to be in line with ever changing regulations due to covid-19. They were always available and extremely professional.

uncertain time, Kristi has been so communicative, helpful and flexible with my fiancé and I, which has provided us with so much comfort as we think through what makes the most sense for our wedding and guests. We cannot wait for our wedding at this venue!!

hat I always had everything I needed and was never overwhelmed. On my wedding day she was always by my side making sure everything was perfect (which it was)! My guests are still raving about the food, and not only was dinner amazing but the gelato and late night flatbreads were out of this world and just what my guests needed after dancing all night. I highly recommend this venue, as my wedding was the best day of my life and I can’t thank Gianna and her staff enough for all of their hard work and excellent service!

t. Beyond the day itself, our wedding planner Gianna was an absolute dream. She made the process so easy and enjoyable... we simply could not have done it without her. Gianna and the rest of the staff made our family comfortable for the entire year leading up and then the night of our wedding. I don’t know how she manages to do it, but Gianna is everywhere all at once. When I became emotional before walking down the aisle, she was there with the perfect words. When I needed a beer, she suddenly was handing me one. When we had a tough family situation, she handled it with absolute class. She’s simply the best. I highly recommend The Commons. You and your guests will remember your wedding for years to come because of their team!

from the food to the appearance of the venue exceeded our highest expectations. We are so thankful for our perfect wedding night and cannot recommend The Commons enough!

eceived compliments all week about the food, the staff, everything. The apple sangria was dangerously delicious. The ambience, everything! You won’t regret having your wedding here!!!!

about a thing (truly). The food was top notch, the ballroom is a simply amazing when it is all set up, and the wait staff/bartenders couldn't be more pleasant. And then there is Gianna - always with a smile but getting EVERYTHING done at once. I can't imagine loving another venue any more! They made our dreams a reality, and we will never forget it. 11/10 would recommend!

e team with such love and kindness. The team treats you like family and does everything in their power to make sure your wedding day is perfect and exactly how you want it. They are so organized and willing to help, it made the wedding planning process go so smoothly. Our family & friends were so impressed with the space, the food, the service and every detail that made the day so special. Many of our guests told us this was the best wedding food they have ever had! We are sad our wedding day is over and we won't be working with Gianna and the team any longer but so thankful for everything that they did to make our day so perfect. If we could do it all over again we would & not change a single thing!! So thank you Gianna, Kristi & the team, we love you & cannot thank you enough.

ss and functionality, and Kristi really topped it off. She just had such a happy and bubbly personality that she got us excited about everything again (again this was the last of like 20 places, so we were exhausted at this point). She went over all the different options and made everything easy to understand. We knew we had the right place, but we didn’t REALLY know until the actual wedding day. Our wedding took place on the hottest and most humid day in July. As soon as we arrived Gianna was there ready to take care of us. She got us cold drinks and food as quickly as we asked, and she even got us and the wedding party cool damp towelettes to help keep us cool which really helped when we were taking pictures outside. And I really must emphasize that every one of the staff was amazing. They were all so nice and friendly and funny so when you asked for anything it was almost as if you were asking a good friend to get you something. And the real testament of how great this place is that even now, 3 weeks later, we have family and friends telling us how great everything was at the venue. Everyone raved about how great the food was, how great the staff were and how beautiful everything was. This place is by far the best place for a wedding. *Wedding date was 7/20/19 but the review wont let me chose that date!*

not stop talking about how amazing the food tasted and how beautiful the venue looked. I would definitely recommend The Commons as a wedding venue because they are literally perfect and will help you with your dream wedding. Thank you once again for an amazing customer service and for making my dream wedding come to reality. I am super happy and content.

are of. We fell in love with the natural beauty of the Commons as a venue, and were abundantly thrilled with our decision. Several of our guests asked for referrals, and many said it was the best food they’ve had at a wedding. Could not recommend having a wedding here more, and were so overjoyed with our day! We LOVE Gianna and the team at the Commons, and could not be more grateful.

rockstar!! So sweet and always on her A game from the day we first reached out to them to book a tour to the day after the wedding when we said our “goodbyes”. Guests were blown away at how beautiful the space was and people said it was the best food they’ve ever had at a wedding. It will be a day we will never forget and cannot thank them enough for everything!

he way, answering all my questions, and were there the day of the wedding to make sure nothing missed a beat. The food was incredible, and our guests kept telling us how it was some of the best wedding food they've ever had. A lot of venues we looked at made me feel like they were trying to upcharge you for everything, and honestly felt like they were trying to take advantage of you to make an extra buck, but I never felt this way at the Commons. I wholeheartedly recommend this venue for anyone looking in the North Shore area!

d beyond to make the entire planning process so special. They truly make you feel like royalty and what I loved most, especially compared to other venues we toured, they put the focus on US and the tailored experience they could deliver for our friends and family (vs just trying to sell a venue). Every visit felt like a visit with family and we always felt like we were in the best of hands. Their exceptional level of detail and service is unbelievable, and the setting was so elegant, special, and ultimately ten times more amazing than we could have imagined (and we both have very high expectations!!). The appetizers, dinner, dessert, drinks were just exceptional. Our family and friends were so impressed with the entire team on our big day and I just couldn't be more appreciative of every little thing Gianna and team did to deliver an unforgettable experience. Getting married at The Commons was the best decision we made and it'll always hold such a special place in our hearts & memories. We couldn't recommend them more highly and if we could get married again at The Commons, would do so in a heartbeat!!

t was the only venue we saw. I actually brought my fiancé there and told him I hope you love it as much as I do because this is where I’ve always seen my wedding. He instantly fell in love with it like I knew he would! At that point I had only known or seen The Commons 1854 from social media, and I didn’t think I could fall anymore in love with it, but I did! From the moment I started emailing them, I felt like I was talking to family. They were just as happy as we were about our engagement, wedding plans, and were always there when we needed help. They answered what felt like a millions questions we had, and we never felt like a bother to them. There was never a second we felt like just another wedding. Even with a long engagement, someone was always checking in with us every few months to see how the wedding planning was going. Towards the end of the process, I had many changes. From accidentally providing wrong meal numbers, to adding someone two days before the wedding, and once again they worked with us with pleasure! Our wedding coordinator was Gianna, and I’m going to try my best to condense the novel we could write about her. She is simply the most calmest and sweetest person. The job as a wedding coordinator was made for her! We couldn’t have asked for a better person to organize/coordinate the process and be there for us along the way and the day of our wedding. The day of the wedding was so smooth and flawless. When we arrived, Gianna was there to welcome us, and she made us feel like royals! I had a stressful moment, and with her pep talk she brought me back to life. When we walked into The Commons 1854, every dream I ever had about our wedding was staring at me. Everything was simply beautiful and breathtaking! Gianna checked on us all night. She was constantly bringing us water, and filling our hands with drinks when necessary. We seriously can go on and on about her! She brought our every vision I had! The FOOD! Wow! When I talked to friends and family after the wedding, the common thing brought up was the food. From the hors d’oeuvres, (especially the mango brie tartlet!) to the entrees everything was outstandingly delicious! We added the mini pastries, and Black Tie Espresso and both were amazing! The Salted Caramel Cappuccino, my favorite! We even left with the left over pastries we were able to enjoy the next day! The wait staff was exceptional. Everything flowed perfectly with meal servings, and we thank them for that! We survived the saying “5 things always go wrong on your wedding day” and we thank the entire Commons team for that! Thank you again Commons family for the best day of our lives!

n perfectly. The food was SO GOOD and I got so many complements on it throughout the night. I could keep gushing about them, but the best recommendation I can give a couple searching for a venue is to go visit the Commons and let them sweep you off your feet.

. We had 154 people and the size of the venue was perfect. They really know how to maximize their space! Guests are still commenting about how delicious the food was. The venue and grounds were absolutely stunning for our 11.17 wedding! If I could give more than 5 stars I would!!!

ra felt like an extensions of my bridesmaids throughout the whole process - she took the time to get to know us and had so many wonderful ideas. On the day of the wedding she was absolutely perfect ensuring everything went smoothly. We literally did not have to think about anything other than enjoying ourselves and celebrating. Maura was absolutely perfect in coordinating everything that needed to happen - to pumping the bridal party up before walking in to the reception, to bustling my dress, and even packing us up some wedding cake to enjoy after the wedding. She truly felt like a good friend, and she honestly wanted us to truly enjoy our day. To anyone thinking about having their wedding at The Commons - you will not regret it! Our day was absolutely perfect, I am tearing up now just thinking about it!

n I say that our wedding was absolutely perfect. P-e-r-f-e-c-t with a capital P, and I mean that from the bottom of my soul. Not only are the Martino's a lovely family to work with, they are also backed by an amazing crew of chefs, coordinators, and caterers, all dedicated to making your big day, truly, the BEST day. We could not have asked for a better venue, a better family, and a better team to bring our dream to life. From the stunning outdoor garden, to the sleek and polished cocktail room, to the grand ballroom, golden, sparkling, and beautiful-- The Commons 1854 is a stunning venue. But the people behind it are what truly make this venue special. Kristi was the most attentive coordinator! She was constantly providing for us, checking up on us, helping us keep things moving, assisting us when we needed it, making sure we were eating and staying sane amongst all the glorious chaos. Kristi was a fabulous hostess and really went above and beyond to make sure my husband, our bridal party, our family, and our guests were taken care of. Truly, the entire family is so incredibly kind, caring, attentive, and flexible. I really don't have the words to do my feelings about the Martino family justice. We love you guys so much. Furthermore, sometimes, the venue itself can be outstanding, but the food might be so-so. I know i've personally been to a few weddings were the food was downright unimpressive. NOT with the Martinos! This family prides themselves on their cooking, traveling to Europe to learn from world class chefs. Let me tell you, it really shows in the food! Not only do you get an incredible venue, you get 5 star chefs catering your day just the way you like it! Eveything was so darn delicious. From our cocktail hour appetizers (coconut shrimp, mango brie tartlets, grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters-- need I say more?!), to the main course (prime rib, roasted turkey, seasoned vegetables, greek pasta salad, quinoa salad, pasta three ways), to late night snacks (pizza and french fries, duh!), to our very own gelato sundae bar featuring six flavors--- our guests were blown away by the delectable quality of the food. I find myself craving the food we had that night even today! Truthfully, I could go on and on about how much I love this venue, the family behind it, and the time and attention they pour into every single couple they encounter. Don't just take my word for it-- book the Commons 1854 for your big day. I promise the Martino family will pull out all the stops to blow you away and make your day truly memorable, and magical. Thank you Kristi, Frank, Frankie, Gianna, Maura, and the Commons 1854 staff from the bottom of our hearts. The hardwork you put in to make our day spectacular touches my heart so much. Our wedding truly could NOT have been any better. It was literally perfect, and we have you guys to thank for that. THANK YOU!

et with Gianna most frequently because my husband and I like face-to-face meetings, and she was more than happy to accommodate; even if the meeting really could have been over the phone or via email. She really went above and beyond with every detail with us and making sure we were comfortable with our choices, and even when we had several last minute changes. We had multiple guest add-ons and deletions less than a week, and even the night before/morning of our wedding day and The Commons was so accommodating. They never once made us feel like an annoyance and inconvenience, even though we knew these changes must be irritating (they were annoying to us!) Gianna's excitement for our day was infectious and her help placing our decorations throughout the venue was beyond our wildest expectations. Her thoughtfulness knows no bounds. We had a Harry Potter themed cocktail hour/reception, and had included some costume Potter eyeglasses for decorations -- when we pulled up after our ceremony, the staff that greeted guests at the door were wearing them. That was such a sweet, kind, and thoughtful gesture. A big thank you to the good sports that were wearing them as well. The wait staff were amazing as well, attentive and unobtrusive. And also didn't take mine or my husbands plates! That way we could still pick at our meals throughout the night. The food was so good, between apps and dinner there wasn't a bad dish in the bunch. The one downside is that the cost of the food tasting is not included, so be prepared to shell out about $50/person, but you get good sized portions to try, definitely do the tasting! Honestly I could go on and on about how wonderful this venue and the staff is. The last two things I will recommend spending the extra money on are definitely the Black Tie Espresso service and the gelato bar. They were a HUGE hit and just really really high quality. So yummy!!!!

swering any question you can think of to every detail being thought through and executed perfectly on the day of. Our coordinator, Maura, kept telling us that she did not want us to worry about anything except to have fun and enjoy our wedding day and this was beautifully executed. Also, the food was absolutely amazing! It was so delicious that we have gotten so many compliments from our guest for the next few weeks following the wedding... even the ones considered foodies were raving about how delicious it tasted. You would think by choosing a venue where they really know what they are doing that you would just be another "wedding" that is not the case at all. Everyone that works at the venue, especially Maura, really makes you feel like you are the only wedding that month, with so much attention to detail and such warm greetings. I could not rave about The Commons enough and it was the perfect choice.

e is so bright and luxurious. The Commons was the one and only venue we went to see, it was love at first sight. Kristi and Gianna, you two are truly one of a kind - thank you for all of your help, patience and kindness throughout our entire wedding planning process. Everything about our day was so special, thanks to you and the amazing staff at The Commons - everyone was so attentive and respectful to all of our guests, the food and service was AMAZING (everyone is still talking about it). I wish we could do it all over again! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, it was a day we will never forget! Love, Lauren and Corey Cossette 9/28/18

s a lot of character, and the stage up front and balcony in the back (that seated ~40 of our guests) set the layout apart from other venues. They also have these big beautiful windows and the light floods in in the day time, which is what sold us on an indoor ceremony. They also have a great outdoor space, which others have used for ceremonies, but that we used for cocktail hour overflow. The outdoor setting is lovely for photos too. We also loved that they were very much a one stop shop. The food was fantastic; they have beautiful linens/tables/chairs that work with the space And last, but absolutely not least, we cannot say enough about The Commons 1854 team. We adore them, and this was the differentiator for us. From the initial meetings with Kristi and Gianna, to our wedding day coordinated by Maura, and everything in between, we cannot imagine having worked with anyone else. The team shepherded us through the whole planning process, made sure we stayed on track (and that we weren't stressed), and were an absolute pleasure to work with. They are thoughtful, warm, and friendly; they truly know their craft, and they get the job done. Maura, our wonderful coordinator, anticipated every detail and every possible contingency; we knew we were in good hands with her. She is an absolute pro and you couldn't ask for a better person to make sure the day runs 100% smoothly. This place gave us our perfect wedding day and we couldn't have asked for a better experience! Maura, Kristi, and Gianna, if you read the reviews, you guys are the best and we love you!

before. On top of the great service, we had guests tell us that the food was the best that they have ever had at a wedding (we served the filet and salmon). The portions, timing of each course, and the presentation were all above and beyond expectations. The space itself is a perfect mix of character and class, where you can customize your wedding to whatever aesthetic you want. Overall, The Commons was the perfect place for us to get married, and if we could do it all over again, we would choose The Commons over and over again for our wedding day.

or any wedding color scheme. It has 3 separate spaces: an outdoor garden with brick patio, a large 1st floor foyer with white porcelain tile & multiple fireplaces and a 2nd floor reception ballroom with dramatic ceilings, a grand fireplace, a balcony & a stage. All of these spaces are versatile and can be transformed to fit your wedding vision. We had our ceremony offsite and used both the foyer and the garden as our cocktail hour space while we took pictures offsite. We arrived and my entire bridal party stayed in the bridal suite on the first floor while we waited for all the guests to be seated upstairs and then we were introduced into the ballroom, it was so much fun! The coordinators that you work with make you feel like one of the family--they are a small, but dedicated team who truly care about every little detail of your wedding. I worked with both Kristi & Gianna. Kristi is so friendly and a genuine sweetheart. She has a LOT of experience with the wedding business and is a great resource for any question you many have; not just about The Commons, but about wedding day timelines, wedding vendors; truly anything wedding related, she is happy to help with. Gianna was my day-of coordinator and she was awesome as well. She took detailed notes about all of my centerpieces, flowers, decor, etc. and executed it all exactly as I wanted, I didn't have to worry about a thing. She also made sure that our timeline went smoothly throughout the night and that we were always well taken care of with food and drinks. The food was delicious, it's nice that they have a kitchen and chef on site so you don't have to worry about finding a caterer. We chose to do the parmesan cheese cups for our first course salad--people absolutely LOVED them. Not to mention the phenomenal wedding cake, half raspberry lemon filled and half CANNOLI flavored filling; SO good!! The hors d'ouevres and entrees were amazing as well, I've heard nothing but rave reviews from my guests. Since the chef and culinary team are on site, you are able to request things that are not on the menu if you have something particular in mind. They are very flexible and can pretty much whip up anything! The only "negatives" I have to mention are that the prices are definitely not very negotiable. We were on a budget since we mostly paid for the wedding on our own. We were able to negotiate a little with most vendors, but not with The Commons. However--I do believe that they offer HIGH quality service for the price points that they are at, so we were willing to reserve a lot of our budget for this kind of value. Also, you do have to get all of your decor and personal items out the night of the wedding, which for me was definitely a little bit stressful--I stayed back to make sure everything went where it was supposed to (which it did, of course), and it delayed me a bit from getting to the hotel after party. But I think as long as you are aware of that ahead of time and plan for it better than I did, you would have nothing to worry about. Overall, I would highly recommend The Commons to anyone looking for a moderately priced venue with beautiful features, outstanding meals and a detail-oriented, highly motivated staff of coordinators

ve been more thrilled with the result. My husband and I met as English Majors in college and wanted to have a literary themed wedding. The Commons was super accommodating to our theme- they let us use book titles instead of table numbers and gave us plenty of ideas. Our wedding party was huge (17 people) and we were able to fit everyone under the pergola in the garden for the ceremony. The food was amazing. The passed hors derves were incredible and there was plenty for everyone (178 guests). Our meals were cooked perfectly! We had 140 filet mignons and each was cooked absolutely perfectly. We also had a cake made from their outside partner vendor that was both lemon raspberry and cannoli flavored. They even made a separate batman cake for my husband that came out amazing! Finally, our wedding planner, Maura Galligan was absolutely the best wedding planner ever. She thought of everything and was able to make all of our ideas (both crazy and seemingly impossible) work flawlessly with her incredible organization, attention to detail, ,and eerie ability to be in multiple places at once. I felt so at ease with her running things. We never knew anything went wrong if it did, and we were able to eat, and dance all night on our wedding day because of her incredible effort to make all our wedding dreams come true!

smooth and enjoyable. Gianna and Kristi were both incredibly responsive and helpful throughout everything. The garden was a perfect backdrop for our ceremony, and guests raved about the beauty of the cocktail space and reception rooms as well. Food was excellent and the gelato/cannolis are not to be missed! The Commons 1854 is a gorgeous venue with one of a kind with service and staff to match. You will be happy you chose them for your special day!

, Gianna was hands down the best wedding coordinator I've ever heard of and she went to great lengths to make sure my husband, myself and our guests were taken care of. From Gianna reaching out to her contacts to find me a more fitting hairstylist/makeup artist only 4 weeks out from my wedding date, to rebustling my dress with safety pins in the bathroom half way through the night, to being right by my side with bobby pins when she noticed some of my hair starting to fall out of place. She's also someone who listens closely to details, even when I hadn't realized I had explained my images of setting up my décor, but she came through and made my dreams true to life. Both Kristi and Gianna were always professional, organized and quick responding to my emails and many questions I had during the planning process. They made everything run flawlessly and couldn't be any sweeter. The owner Frank, his son (head Chef) and all of the other Chef's outdo themselves when it comes to the food. They are passionate with what they do and every app and dish couldn't have been any more delicious. We keep hearing from our guests that they've never had such amazing food and it's all thanks to them. Their Filet and pizza is something everyone should try. A-mazing! I have my own food allergies and the chef's were great about accommodating my dishes during the food tasting and on our big day. The venue itself, from the clean modernized downstairs (cocktail hour) to the gold trim, large windows and chandeliers that hang in the ballroom, is gorgeous no matter how you decorate it. It is a very romantic and timeless looking venue. Love Love Love The Commons 1854 and can't even explain fully how amazing this venue is for weddings.

tly this was the place I wanted to get married. Very bling bling glamorous venue. Perfect for my dream NYE wedding. The staff is amazing Kristi and Gianna are wonderful and extremely helpful in all aspects of the planning process. The food is amazing the staff is amazing and the venue is spectacular. We could not have been happier! The grounds inside and out are beautiful. I knew when choosing a venue I needed a place beautiful inside and out because getting married in the winter in New England can be hit or miss. I'm so happy and highly recommended the Commons!

ons friends and family have told me its the best wedding they've ever been to. The staff was amazing making sure I was always taken care of during pictures, dinner, and dancing. Even down to my drink always being refreshed in the corner of the dance floor, waiting for me. My bustle broke, badly, and Johanna jumped in without hesitation to help sew and fix it. The Commons' attention to detail is exquisite and really makes a celebration a memorable experience for the guests, bride, and groom. Thanks to everyone at The Commons who made my day such a memorable day for my husband and I!

ood being amazing my coordinator Gianna and every single staff member that worked my wedding went above and beyond. I felt Like a true princess bride who was catered to from the second I stepped Through their doors... along with all my guests! There is absolutely nothing I would change. Brides would be crazy for the commons to not be their #1 choice. If you want the best food, service and a beautiful ballroom the commons is the best choice. My day couldn’t have been anymore beautiful and went any more smoother then it did and at the end of the day that’s all a bride hopes for. So thankful with my choice at having my fairytale wedding at the commons 1854.

use. This venue went above and beyond on our special day. If there is an opening book it fast!! You will not be disappointed and this wonderful jem!!

ice throughout the entire night. Every waiter/waitress, bartender and staff member was super friendly and hardworking the whole time. Gianna was our coordinator and was so sweet and extremely responsive and helpful. Can’t ask for much more than that. We are so happy we found The Commons and trusted them with the most important day of our lives so far.

ends. Starting from booking the Commons, the experience with the staff has been nothing short of wonderful. Gianna's, the event planner for our daughters wedding, attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the day. The staff promptly attended to all of our guests arriving for the ceremony, which was held in the courtyard, by offering a glass of champagne. The appetizers during the cocktail hour were plentiful, warm and delicious. The fig and brie tartlets and the tomato soup and grilled cheese appetizers were a HUGE hit. All of our dinner selections were served perfectly cooked, warm and in generous portions. Gianna worked diligently throughout the night to ensure every guest was attended to no matter the request. The Commons is an absolutely beautiful venue in the quaint town of Topsfield. Our out-of-town guests were treated to the beautiful fall scenery on what was a fantastic New England day. All of the vendors were coordinated through Gianna during the day and it hardly seemed like any of them were even there. For the entire evening, we were able to enjoy the wedding and our guests. Every communication whether phone call or email with Gianna or Christy was answered efficiently. My entire family will be forever grateful for making a special day into an EXTRAORDINARY EVENT that will never be forgotten. As I said to Gianna, I feel as if I've made new friends.....Thank you .....Thank you......Thank you! Chris and Donna and of course Bianca and Mercedes as well!!

of the details that secured for us that we wanted to have our wedding reception there. We're so thrilled with the beautiful setting and how we didn't have to deal with any details the day of our wedding. Johanna and the other staff really took care of everything the day of the wedding, and for that we are so grateful! They were also very helpful in connecting us with a nearby church and providing quality recommendations for hair, makeup, flowers, and transportation. We were very impressed with the quality of services provided and recommended by The Commons. I am giving four stars instead of five due to some frustrations that we had with communication. I mention this in hopes that it will be taken constructively--as I said, we were very happy with our decision to have our reception at The Commons and the following comments do not take away from the fact that we had a beautiful wedding day. That being said, we were expecting a little more help from The Commons in the planning process as we were living out-of-state at the time. I would have appreciated more check-ins from the staff about finalizing details. While most emails were answered within 1-2 days (thank you!) there were times when it took 2-4 weeks to get an important question answered, and we often received conflicting information depending on who we spoke with. When we first began planning, we were told incorrect information related to availability of certain tables, pricing of different details, etc etc. This led to a few inconveniences such as having to change our whole table set-up, including the flower arrangements, two weeks before the wedding. Everything turned out beautifully, however had we been operating with the correct information, there would have been one less stressor leading up to the wedding. We also had a few last minute cancellations and we were assured via email that we could have the extra meals wrapped up to take home so that we weren't throwing away literally hundreds of dollars of food. I even wrote this in the final spreadsheet that I sent to the venue, however this did not happen. In the grand scheme of things, these are small details, however there were too many instances for my liking in which incorrect information was given to us resulting in more stress and inconvenience for my husband and me. To end on a positive note, I also want to add that I really appreciated the flexibility of the staff the day of the wedding. Things went a little differently than we had originally discussed and Johanna and the rest of the staff didn't skip a beat--they rolled with the changing timeline with us and truly helped to make it the happiest day! We're very happy that we chose The Commons and we look back on our wedding day with such joy and happiness :-). Thank you!

ed out beautiful especially with last minute change of ceremony plans due to the weather. It was truly a memorable moment I will never forget!

don't have to stress out about finding other vendors and last minute expenses. True to their word everything was included as discussed, including silverware, tablecloths, signature drinks, and the list goes on! On the day of our wedding the team delivered the experience of our dreams. All of the decor was set up exactly as we wanted it and the entire staff made all of our guests feel so welcome. The venue is absolutely gorgeous but what makes this place unforgettable are the people you get to work with. This is the best possible decision we could have made!

r bustle my dress. The food was phenomenal (what out gusts said as we barely ate). Our guests are still raving about the food and staff. You will not be disappointed if you have your wedding here. I would give more than 5 stars if I could.

and day of made sure everything went smoothly. The menu options are outstanding and our guests raved about the food! Everything about this venue is a dream and I would highly recommend it!

edible, the ballroom looked gorgeous, and the gardens look beautiful in our photos. A month and a half later, our guests are still talking about how impressed they were with The Commons and the food. The Commons staff was an absolute pleasure to work with for the whole planning process, the rehearsal, and the day-of event, and we can't thank them enough!

room and lower level marble floor cocktail area. The gazebo and old barn in the background were perfect for pictures too. The coordinator that worked with is was Johanna and she made sure everything went perfectly. Everything was smooth and well organized and as the bride I felt I had absolutely nothing to worry about which is all you can dream of for the big day. We received many compliments on Johanna about the her attentiveness to detail, and it all looked perfect. The catering here is to die for. I have never heard so many compliments on the food in my life even the pickiest eaters didn't have a single complaint absolutely delicious! This is in part to Johanna making sure every single person had their meals prepared exactly how they liked them. We had 80 people order steaks, and they made sure every one was cooked to the guest's tastes. Everything about The Commons is stunning and I cannot recommend it enough to any couple looking for a venue!

ion and asked if they could hire her for their weddings. Her attention to detail is impeccable, as well as being extremely professional and knowledgeable. I felt 100% taken care of and stress free knowing that Johanna would be there the day of my wedding. The rest of the team is also amazing and super professional. My friends and family are still talking about how it was the best wedding they have ever been to, especially about how great the food was!! Highly, highly recommend!

ng was a complete success and all of our guests are still raving about it days later! The venue is gorgeous, the staff was always available to help out and then there is the food. We were mesmerized by the food at the tasting. The day of food was even better than the tasting. Their lead chef and his team delivered first class elegance and taste. I hope I get a chance to attend an event here as a guest next to get the full scope- however, I will look back at The Commons fondly for the beautiful dream-like day they helped make a reality.

remony to our reception. We couldn't be happier. The uplighting and decor went perfectly with our theme and they are so accommodating and professional. I wish our wedding was longer because it was prefect. I can't say enough about this place and the owners and staff. Our guest raved about the wedding and the venue! You won't be sorry if you have your wedding here and work with Kristi, Gianna, Johanna, Frankie and the whole staff! They are amazing! Thank you all for making our wedding day perfect!

paint on the walls. I am of Italian heritage and food is very, very important;bad food can break an event for me. No worries - the food was fantastic. The staff was very attentive, (including the wait staff), very helpful, and very accessible. They understand the stresses of a wedding. They have a fabulous checklist and would email my daughter to be sure she was on task. The ceremony was held outside in their beautiful garden. As an aside: we had looked in the Boston area and not only were the prices exorbitant, but they all included a 20% admin fee, then included that in the tax. We added Chinese lanterns, a cannoli table, coffee bar and extra hors d'oeuvres for our guests, and it was still less than Boston prices. I have a few friends who had been to weddings there and they had told me I would love it and be very happy. They were so right. My only problem? I want to do it all over again!

to the pacing of the night. Our guests commented on how smoothly everything went and how efficient the venue was in every way. The food was absolutely outstanding, and Johanna, our coordinator, was a professional at every turn. I had a lot of questions during the year leading up to the wedding, and Johanna was always prompt and pleasant in her replies. I cannot recommend The Commons highly enough - they made our night absolutely perfect!

best - from all of our pre-wedding meetings to the day of she was excellent, everything ran smoothly, she kept a great timeline, all the decor turned out exactly how I wanted - she was so professional and made sure the day was exactly how we wanted it. One example: we had about 180 guests and knew most of our crowd would be on the dance floor most of the night - Johanna suggested we break down two tables after dinner to open up the dance floor (something I would have never thought of) honestly, I did not even notice the team moving the tables AT ALL! They must have gotten everything moved in a matter of 30 seconds - and it worked out perfectly - plenty of room for dancing! The Commons food is delicious!! Guest are still raving about the filet mignon and the chicken florentine dishes we chose. For entertainment we had a live band - having them on the stage at the Commons was perfect Overall I cannot say enough great things about the wedding. I was nervous before about the size of our guest list, but the ballroom accommodated for our 180 guests perfectly. Throughout the entire planning process Johanna + the Commons team were so helpful, we could tell they really cared about us personally and our vision for the day. They made excellent suggestions and made sure we had thought about everything and all the little details. Definitely go with the Commons for your venue - I would not have wanted our wedding reception to be anywhere else !!

all I one which was what we wanted. All staff members worked very hard throughout the planning process along with the actual wedding night. As nervous as we both were for our big day, each staff member made it less stressful for us all. The most amazing part was having all our guests say how great the food was, in fact the best they've had at a wedding. I had quite a few guests comment on how they'd like to get married at the Commons as well. Our day was so perfect and The Commons 1854 could not have done a better job!!!

-oriented and it was great working with Kristi and Johanna because they are organized, professional, and offered wonderful tips and advice through the whole wedding-planning process. Frank was also great to work with, and his homemade pasta is a MUST HAVE at your wedding (and this is coming from a family full of pasta-making Italians!). The day of our wedding, we were beyond impressed with Johanna’s professionalism. She kept our timeline moving, made sure I was eating and even brought a tray of appetizers to me to make sure I got a taste of all of them. The whole night it seemed like Johanna was everywhere, whether it was taking care of small details that we hadn’t thought of (like offering our bridal party mints before the introductions) or letting us know when would be a good time to go table-to-table, she was extremely professional and smiling the whole evening! The whole team at the Commons was enthusiastic, accommodating, and helpful, and made our wedding feel more special than we could have imagined.

. However, what truly makes the Commons 1854 the best wedding venue on the North Shore is its team of amazing wedding consultants. We had the pleasure of working directly with the owner, Kristi Martino, throughout the planning process. She helped us plan for every detail based on the packages we chose from their wealth of options. This venue is perfect for a Type-A bride like me who was slightly overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, because The Commons 1854 takes care of so many important aspects of the wedding day themselves. The tables, chairs, linens, food, and bar are all taken care of in house. They coordinate seamlessly with other vendors, including the band/DJ, florist, photographer, videographer, and more. We had our ceremony at a different location, but they have a beautiful garden for outdoor ceremonies or they can hold the ceremony in the ballroom as well. Kristi and her team are so respectful of every family’s budget, and they never tried to upsell or charge us for something we did not want or need. If we asked for her opinion about a certain option, she didn’t automatically suggest the most expensive option. She thoughtfully reflected on what would be best for our guests based on the decisions we had made so far. We appreciated her honesty and expertise so much! The food at The Commons 1854 is absolutely spectacular. It was so difficult to select our choices for hors d’oeuvres, salad, main entrees, dessert, and late night snack because all of the choices were so delicious! Our guests had to stop themselves from ruining their appetites for dinner by eating too many of the fantastic cocktail hour passed hors d’oeuvres. Many of our guests came from Maryland, home to the best crab cakes in the country, and they all raved about the crab cakes at The Commons 1854. When we unexpectedly had some guests who requested vegan entrees, the owner and executive chef, Frank, accommodated their request with truly gourmet cuisine. Frank gave our guests so many personal touches through the artistry of his cooking that made them feel like they were eating at a gourmet restaurant, not a wedding reception. I know my husband says he dreams about the delicious beef tenderloin he had for his entrée! My mom and I had many personal touches to add to the décor at our wedding, which required a lot of set up and break down time for our wedding coordinators, Maura and Kristi, but they happily executed our every request. During the reception, Maura and Kristi attended to my husband and I diligently, making sure we stayed hydrated, had something to eat, and were enjoying and soaking up every moment of our day. At the end of the night, they told us not to worry about coming back to pick up all of our décor and other items until Monday because they did not have an event scheduled for the following day. This helped us to fully enjoy our entire wedding weekend, which we appreciated so much. We truly could not have hoped for a more beautiful and accommodating venue for our wedding day. Kristi, Frank, Maura, and their entire team gave us our dream wedding.

tter! Gianna, our wedding coordinator, was absolutely amazing. Every staff member we encountered was so nice and you can really tell they enjoy where they work...which says a lot about the owners! The food was amazing, the gelato bar was by far my favorite!

ything run smoothly behind the scenes. We wouldn't have changed a thing and are so happy we got married here!

aking it effortless!

ked to our car at the end of the wedding night, they were asking if they could do anything else for us. We worked mostly with Johanna who was amazing. She was a very calming presence during an otherwise busy wedding day. Not only did she guide us every step of the way, but she just knows what you need, before you know you need it. I remember clearly at the end of the night when all the guests were saying goodbye and leaving, I must have hugged and said goodbye to almost 60 people in 20 minutes. Naturally I was exhausted from the day's events and dancing etc.. As I said goodbye to the last person, I turned around and there was Johanna with a big smile and a glass of water waiting for me. She just knew that's what I needed !!! Everyone at The Commons 1854 was great. The wait staff during the night was extremely attentive, professional and helpful. The building itself is beautiful and newly renovated, but all the while keeping its historic charm. All of our guests commented on how beautiful the venue was and how great the food and services were. I highly recommend this venue. Heather and Nathan

were fully taken care of. Everywhere we looked she had a solution and made sure each and every big moment of the day went off without a hitch. It was truly a perfect venue and staff!

The main course choices of salmon, tenderloin, or moussaka (Greek vegetarian dish) were exceptional. My 2 inch steak was cooked to absolute perfection. The new bar area was welcoming, warm, and beautiful. The staff met any and all of our needs. Little did we know that one of our "silver letters" on the table which was attached to a seating chart was lost. Without calling us, their onsite wedding planner went to an art store that afternoon, bought the large wooden letter P (for parents' table) and spray painted it silver to match the other letters. Everything about The Commons is charming, and Kristi and Frank met our ongoing changes right to the very end. They are patient and kind and have created a beautiful stunning place for any bride and groom to get have their reception. Their wedding planner is exceptional. She just gets it, and made the wedding reception an experience that we and all of our friends are talking about. Thank you all. Kristi and Frank next wedding we are definitely going to add the homemade gelato.

ing to give her opinion when asked which was extremely helpful! She met with us as many times as we needed as well. Everyone at our reception was great and helped make it the best night of our life. We got so many compliments about the food, which is a big reason we chose this venue. We had 165 people and we felt like this was a great amount for the space. I think if you are looking to have a good size dance floor and not feel too crowded during cocktail hour 200 people (the venues max) would be too many. I would (and have already) recommended this venue to anyone looking in the area!

ballroom, the quality and superb taste of the food and signature beverages, and the attentiveness of the staff. From the bride’s perspective, you will not find a better deal for your money in the Boston area! We wined and dined at such a quality level for a value unmatched at any other local vendor we researched. But what puts The Commons over the edge is the wedding planning staff! Johanna and Kristi are phenomenal and masters of their craft! Paul and I worked closely with Johanna throughout the entire process and I cannot thank her enough for her attention to detail, willingness to go above and beyond (crafting and putting together our very own rustic-inspired popcorn bar), and drive to make our wedding run without a hitch! EVERYTHING went as planned day-of and that is due 100% in part to Johanna’s proactive approach, all accomplished with a smile! The Commons (and Johanna) are an amazing choice for your most special day!

omplemented ours perfectly and her calm demeanor put me at ease! She even performed surgery on my bouquet when my flowers showed up looking completely different than I had asked for. She went above and beyond what I would have expected! Kristi and Johanna were great the whole time leading up to the wedding, planning and accommodating me when I had to change appointment times and make changes to the final invoice. A couple times during the reception I just looked around and couldn't believe this beautiful wedding was mine! Everyone had a great time, enjoyed and raved about the food, and were in awe of the beauty of the venue! The perfect day!! P.s. The cost is surprisingly reasonable compared to many more traditional venues around.

he Commons. Since they do it every week, they've got it down. Initial meetings and planning happen when you book then you'll have some downtime, in the weeks before the wedding you'll be working on all the finer details, selecting food, alcohol, etc. They were flexible with our food selections and the fact that they can get basically any kind of beer was awesome. People are still telling us the food was the best wedding food they've ever had, especially the beef. It was cooked perfectly, they just did a great job. We also went with the ice cream sundae bar and espresso/cappuccino bar.....both great choices. We held off on up lighting which turned out fine. Bottom line, you will not go wrong if you choose The Commons. They will help make sure the night goes smooth, and your guests will be telling you what a fantastic time they had.

d we have heard from many of our guests since, that this was "the best wedding ever!" - even one of our vendors! The Commons is absolutely beautiful inside and out, and we loved the idea of having our ceremony & reception in one place and were able to have our ceremony and cocktail hour outside in the beautifully upkept garden, complete with one of my favorite details - a little rock & water feature. Kristi made the whole process of planning every last detail easy and as stress free as planning a wedding can be. All of the staff at The Commons were extreamly professional, friendly and went above and beyond to keep not only us, but all of our guests happy. One of the biggest selling points for us was the food. My husband is a professional chef and had a nice time talking menus and foodstuffs with Kristi, and most importantly, the vendors that supply the food. After our first meeting with Kristi, he said to me "I know all the vendors they use, and it is nothing but top grade stuff." So, we knew the food would be good - but had no idea as to how good, until we attended the tasting. We were very excited with the menu selections and flavor combinations - with details to taste and texture. We quickly decided on what our selections would be for our big day - and we were very pleased, as was all of our guests, several months later and they are still talking about how delicious the food was! We had a perfect evening and didn't even have to worry about anything - everything was taken care of from the moment we arrived. We just had to show up and let Kristi run the show - everything went so smoothly that we hardly knew she was even there. If you are looking for a beautiful venue, with delicious food & professional, accomodating staff, and don't have to do anything but have a great time, I would highly recommend The Commons 1854.

remony and reception there - highly recommend using the outside garden for the ceremony! We worked with Johanna to plan our wedding and she was great! She asked all the right questions and made sure we were keeping on track with everything. When the big day came she literally had thought of everything and made sure we were just focused on getting married and she took care of the rest. It was unbelievable how valuable having someone like her there for the big day really was!! And the food - omg! It was amazing and we received so many compliments from our guests. I cannot recommend the The Commons 1854 enough! You will not be disappointed!

c - guests were able to mingle outside & in the gorgeously renovated lower level. The reception was just perfect - I had two concerns as the wedding date neared - seating guests on the balcony and the size of the dance floor - neither were a problem! Choosing the right crowd for the balcony left for a fun party during dinner up there & the dance floor was perfect for the 90% of guests that danced for 2+ hours! Food & Drink were just amazing - absolutely not "wedding food" - it was all delicious! Still having friends & family tell me about the fun apps, the great signature cocktails, the delicious salad and the STEAK! Our pictures had the best back drop - the ceremony grounds, the barn and the Commons were just gorgeous and perfectly fit the rustic chic theme we wanted. Last & definitely not least, we 100% echo all of the positive reviews in regards to professionalism of the staff - Kristi & Frank were so wonderful to work with when booking the venue & Johanna is a PRO - she does not miss a beat. Each meeting with her was efficient, positive and her follow up is quick & reliable. The day of was so smooth! So many friends had warned me to "plan for things to go wrong" - and nothing did. Johanna was one step ahead of everything. Thank you Johanna, Kristi & Frank for an absolutely perfect day!

our trust in Kristi and her staff, especially Johanna, we were in great hands. The Commons 1854 is a lovely, beautiful building inside and out. We were blown away at the tasting, which is called a "mock wedding". We were served as if we were guests at another couple's wedding. Great idea and separates the Commons from other venues. The day of the wedding was fabulous. The entire wedding party was treated like royalty, the food was exceptional. I highly recommend the Commons 1854. You won't be disappointed.

irs for the reception is simple yet elegant. The food is the best wedding food we have ever tasted and we are still receiving many compliments from our guests on the caliber of the food. However, in my mind what stands out most about the Commons is the service. We cannot say enough good things about the wedding coordinators Johanna and Kelly, they are amazing. They were very responsive and easily reachable by phone and email. Everyone was flexible and did all they good to accommodate any special requests we had to make our day special. On the night of the wedding Johanna was there every minute to assure nothing went astray. She made sure the wedding party was situated with drinks and appetizers and made sure the night went smoothly. We had our dream wedding thanks to everyone at the Commons, we couldn't have asked for anything more. I would recommend this venue to anyone wanting to get married in New England.

enue. Throughout our wedding planning process, Johanna was always a pleasure to work with and she was so quick to respond to any questions I had during the process, even would provide great suggestions as well. The day of our wedding was amazing from the most delicious appetizers & food, bar services, such professional services throughout the night, decorations set up exactly how we wanted and enjoying time at the most beautiful venue! The Topsfield Commons exceeded our expections. Johanna was great from the second we arrived at the Commons. She provided us our signature drinks, hot appetizers as we arrived and was so attentive to us all night. She was even there when I needed bobby pins to touchup my hair. The whole night went so smooth and I didn't have a worry at all and was able to enjoy myself all night because I knew I had the best team at the Commons making everything perfect for us. Johanna is so talented at what she does and really made our wedding day the best day of our lives. My husband and I can't say enough good things about the Commons. We were so happy with everything and they made our wedding dream come true!!

rs adding a fabulous chic vibe. The entire Commons staff was welcoming from the first day we initiated our interest in the venue, and they were more than helpful throughout our entire wedding planning process. We live in Chicago, IL and Kristi and Johanna were available via email, phone and Skype any time we had questions (and yes, we had a lot!). Johanna was our wedding coordinator and she was AMAZING. Johanna is one of the most professional and organized people we have ever met and her level of experience/expertise was truly reflected during our time working with her. On our wedding day, Johanna made sure everything flowed smoothly to make sure we did not have to think about anything other than having a fabulous wedding day. She went above and beyond to make the event PERFECT for us. Our guests can’t stop talking about how much fun they had at our wedding and how it is one of the best they have ever been to! We have received rave reviews about the food, décor and the charm of the venue itself! One other positive about the venue is that it is very reasonably priced compared to other venues, which allowed us to stay within our budget. We can’t say enough wonderful things about the Topsfield Commons and we would highly recommend this venue to any couple looking to get married in the New England area!

ns does an excellent job they really listen to every detail my wedding day was perfect thanks to them!

edgeable ideas. We had the most amazing day and Kelly our day of coordinator was an angel. I hope to be able to use their amazing facilities in the future and would recommend (and already have) this venue to anyone!! Happiest bride ever!!

how everything turned out.

enue. Based on pictures and feedback from friends who had either had weddings or been to a wedding there, we loved how it didn't feel like a typical country club or hotel style wedding venue. Let me tell you that the venue itself is GORGEOUS (it underwent a major overhaul in March with new paint, light fixtures, carpeting... its stunning) and the staff was amazing. Johanna, my wedding planner, worked with me any way she could to ensure that I felt rest assured things were going smoothly from 3000 miles away. When my big day finally came, the venue was perfect, the food was phenomenal, Johanna kept us and our guests on schedule to the minute, and the staff was accommodating and pleasant the entire night. Obviously I am biased, but it was the best night of my life. I am still having guests reach out to us about how wonderful the food was and how it was one of the best put together weddings they had ever been to. I would highly recommend them!!